Page 73 - 2019 Auto Show Guide

Driving Careers in the Automotive Industry:

The Metro Atlanta Automobile Dealers

Association Preps Individuals for Success

quality education is essential to a successful career. That’s why
A the Metro Atlanta Automobile Dealers Association strives to
provide the very best training available for individuals entering
the automotive field. Whether it’s sales, service, or management, Gary Long,
MAADA Director
the Academy for Automotive Professionals preps employees of Consulting

for success, training them in the various aspects of day-to-day
dealership operations. Since its inception in 1995, the Academy
has provided quality training for thousands of individuals locally For more information on the Academy

and nationwide. It is recognized as one of the premier automotive for Automotive Professionals, including
the diverse range of training programs
sales training institutes in the nation and is the largest dealer-owned
offered, please call (770) 916-1741.
academy of its kind. Over 48,000 individuals have benefited from Office hours are 8am to 4pm, Monday
the training provided by the Academy. thru Friday. You can also visit the
MAADA website at www.maada.com for
more information and to register for
classes online.

Located on the northside of Atlanta Recently touching on the need for “People come to the Atlanta
near SunTrust Park, MAADA’s training qualified automotive professionals, International Auto Show to see and
facility encompasses 40,000 square Charlie Gilchrist, NADA Chairman, evaluate the latest offerings from the
feet, featuring four large classrooms indicated that “America’s auto manufacturers, in order to help them
that are used for the various sales, dealerships are facing a crisis in the select the vehicles that best meets
management and F&I programs. The shortage of experienced automotive their needs. This year, recruiters get
fixed operations center has six service service technicians.” In January of this a chance to meet and evaluate job
bays, a down-draft paint booth, frame year, the NADA (National Automobile candidates from the various high
machine and a detail workshop, all Dealers Association) launched an schools, tech programs and colleges,
of which provide a hands-on learning initiative aimed at promoting the all under one roof, in order to select
environment. value of dealership jobs, particularly those individuals best suited for
on the service side of the business, open positions at dealerships around
“There’s always a need in our to help ease the shortage of qualified Metro Atlanta,” said Larry Hawkins,
industry for qualified sales and tech professionals. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Associate Director of Education at the
professionals, and the Academy has Statistics estimates that 750,000 auto Metro Atlanta Automobile Dealers
proven to be a great solution for technicians are currently employed in Association. When asked about the
the employment needs of MAADA’s the industry. steps candidates should take to
dealer members,” said Shayne increase their chances of getting hired,
Wilson, President of the Metro Atlanta At this year’s Atlanta International Mr. Hawkins had a few suggestions.
Automobile Dealers Association. “The Auto Show, MAADA is working “Take opportunities like the Career
Academy offers entry-level training for to connect job candidates with its Fair seriously. Candidates should dress
those who wish to pursue careers in dealer members by hosting a Career for success and keep resumes short
sales or fixed operations,” he further Fair, aimed at filling vacancies in and to the point.”
elaborated. Nationwide, dealerships the Metro Atlanta automotive job
provide more than 1.2 million jobs in market.
sales, service and management.

37 ANNUAL ATLANTA INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW 69
TH